FIRST Scholarship Program
Offered by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
About This Scholarship
FIRST — the robotics organization behind the FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST LEGO League — maintains one of the largest competition-linked scholarship networks in the country. More than 150 colleges, universities, technical schools, corporations, and associations offer scholarships specifically reserved for students who have participated on a FIRST team, and outside estimates put the network's total value in the tens of millions of dollars.
Unlike a single-award contest, each FIRST scholarship is funded and administered by its own provider, with its own amount, eligibility rules, and deadline. Awards range from one-time $500-$1,000 grants to renewable packages worth $5,000 or more per year at engineering schools such as Georgia Tech and Harvey Mudd.
Students browse and apply through the Pearson Futures Portal, FIRST's official scholarship hub. Most applications are due during senior year, roughly December through April, and new opportunities are added throughout the year — so juniors are encouraged to start looking early.
Eligibility
- Current or former FIRST program participants (FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, or FIRST LEGO League, depending on the provider)
- Most awards target high school seniors applying to college; some are open to current college students
- Each provider sets its own GPA, major, residency, and participation requirements
- No fee to apply
How To Apply
- Join or document your participation on a FIRST team (most students join through a school or community team)
- Browse FIRST-designated scholarships on the Pearson Futures Portal (futures.pearson.com/scholarships) via firstinspires.org
- Apply directly to each matching provider — most deadlines fall December-April of senior year
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to win a robotics competition to get a scholarship?
No — most FIRST scholarships reward participation, not championship titles. Having served on a FIRST team (often in junior or senior year) is the core requirement, with each provider adding its own criteria.
How much money is available?
It varies widely by provider — from one-time awards of a few hundred dollars to renewable university scholarships worth thousands per year. FIRST's network spans 150+ providers, so students typically apply to several.